I reached for the bottle on the table, a non-alcoholic wine of course, rich red under the chandelier's glow, and poured it into a glass coupe.
The crisp clink as it filled the glass sounded sharper than it should have in the quiet of the private dining room.
I took a sip, let it linger on my tongue, then set the glass down. My eyes stayed fixed on Yara across the table.
"So," I said, leaning back slightly, "what do you need me for? Someone like you wouldn't bother buying my likeness unless there's a reason. A benefit."
Her lips twitched, the faintest ghost of approval. She gave a short nod.
"You seem to understand me quite a lot." She leaned back in her seat, shoulders relaxing as though I had just confirmed something she already suspected. "Yes, you're correct."
When I didn't jump in, she continued, her tone steady.
"I'm doing it for the purpose of my future plans."
I raised a brow.
"Future plans? And how exactly does that concern me?"
